Inmate was beaten to death in rare Iowa prison homicide

This undated photo provided by the Iowa Department of Corrections shows inmate Lha Southideth-Whiten, who a prison judge found was responsible for the beating of fellow inmate Michael Whitworth, who died Oct. 30, 2016, at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Records obtained by The Associated Press reveal details of the beating that was captured on video. It’s believed to be the first homicide at an Iowa prison since 2010 and one that prompted a union to accuse the state of covering up safety lapses. (Iowa Department of Corrections via AP) (The Associated Press)

This undated photo provided by the Iowa Department of Corrections shows inmate Michael Whitworth, who died Oct. 30, 2016, after suffering a beating by a fellow prisoner at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. It’s believed to be the first homicide at an Iowa prison since 2010 and one that prompted a union to accuse the state of covering up safety lapses. (Iowa Department of Corrections via AP) (The Associated Press)

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that an inmate died after he was beaten by a fellow prisoner at Iowa's maximum-security penitentiary.

It is believed to be first homicide at an Iowa prison since 2010, and has prompted a union to accuse the state of trying to cover up safety lapses.

Documents show the deadly assault at the Iowa State Penitentiary continued despite a correctional officer's failed attempt to get the assailant to stop.

Forty-six-year-old inmate Michael Whitworth died Oct. 30. His assailant, Lha Southideth-Whiten, was ordered to maximum discipline and may face criminal charges.

A union representing prison employees has accused the Department of Corrections of trying to hide the homicide by waiting to announce it until Election Day.